Structural Equation Model for the Health Behaviors of University Nursing Students in Korea

간호대학생의 건강행위 예측모형

  • Published : 2004.12.01

Abstract

Purpose: Structural equation model was analysed to explore the determinants of health behaviors of university nursing students in Korea. Study subjects: Four hundreds seventy eight university nursing students were selected by random cluster sampling from five universities located in the middle area of Korea. Data collection: The data were collected by questionnaires about demographic characteristics, stressful life events, perceived social support, perceived health status and health behaviors. Results: 1. Living with(out) family did not show direct effect on health behaviors. 2. Stressful life events and social support showed indirect effect on health behaviors via perceived health status; higher score of stressful life events predicted negative health behaviors. 3. The higher score of perceived health status predicted positive health behaviors. Recommendation: To improve the health behavior of nursing student, the program for positive perceived health status is necessary, which includes the social support and stressful life event control program. Each nursing school should be encouraged to develop the program for increasing positive perceived health status. It would be more effective to develop health program separately according to the demographic or social characteristics of the students. And following studies could be suggested to identify and promote the validity and reliability of perceived health status and health behaviors measurements.

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